These are the principal means of guiding the management, conservation and development of significant heritage structures, places and areas. We also undertake management plan reviews.

The strength of our in-house skills and knowledge of the broader heritage context enable us to maximise the usability of management plans for owners, managers and approval authorities. We also bring to their preparation an understanding of the practical considerations of living with or managing a heritage place. Our clients include individuals and organisations, and local, state and national government bodies.

For both types of plan, we follow the format of the Australia ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) guidelines for the preparation of conservation plans, and the principles set out in the Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance (The Burra Charter), 2013.

Our highly experienced team delivers rigorously researched documents that include a detailed description of the heritage place, an assessment of its heritage significance, and practical guidance and recommendations on conservation and management. We ensure that statutory requirements are met, including compliance with any relevant heritage authority guidelines.

At state and local levels, CMPs are usually prepared for heritage places before the undertaking of major works or development. One may also be required as part of a permit application process. For significant heritage properties, statutory authorities such as Heritage Victoria encourage the preparation of a management plan.

Our heritage management planning service includes:
— Identification of relevant heritage controls and the statutory heritage context
— Preparation of a contextural history based on research and analysis
— A physical survey focusing on the identification of original fabric and elements, and where they have been modified
— Assessment of heritage significance based on comparative analysis
— An overview of the statutory obligations of owners and managers, and practical guidance on how to meet these obligations
— Development of conservation policies, guidelines and strategies that address practical management requirements and operational and functional needs
— Development of an implementation strategy

We prepare HMPs and CMPs for heritage projects and places in a wide range of sectors, including the government, civic, commercial, education, arts, residential, sports, defence, transport and industrial sectors.

Individual plans have included private residential buildings, civic buildings such as town halls and post offices, major industrial complexes, maritime structures and docklands, institutions and government buildings, landscapes and parks, sports grounds, aerodromes, high rise commercial buildings, university buildings, structures associated with convict history, railway structures, and precincts and towns.